Encouragement or Kiss of Death?

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  • dimelb
    pr. dim-melb; m not f
    • Jun 2003
    • 6889

    Encouragement or Kiss of Death?

    The Age predictions are out today and Rohan Connolly is tipping us to win, defeating GWS in the GF, with Eagles and Bulldogs making up the top four. His standout players are: Lance, Tippo, Sammy, Tom Papley, Heeney, Mills, Reg, Macca, Aliir and the Jones boy. He doesn't specifically mention Josh or Parker but regards the midfield as "the AFL's most consistent." He adds, "Coach John Longmire has more flexibility than perhaps he's known at his disposal now."

    Of the other journos, six have us in the GF but only two have us winning. Seven have plumped for GWS and one for the Bulldogs.

    The link to the online version: http://www.theage.com.au/afl/afl-new...16-guzkfk.html
    He reminds him of the guys, close-set, slow, and never rattled, who were play-makers on the team. (John Updike, seeing Josh Kennedy in a crystal ball)
  • Industrial Fan
    Goodesgoodesgoodesgoodes!
    • Aug 2006
    • 3317

    #2
    Yep, we'll miss the 8 now!

    Bring on the underdog status
    He ate more cheese, than time allowed

    Comment

    • Joel Ridge
      Suspended by the MRP
      • Feb 2017
      • 82

      #3
      I think GWS will top the table on 20 wins and it will be a close tussle for positions 2,3,4,5,6.

      The Swans, Crows, West Coast, Bulldogs, Geelong, Hawthorn, Port, North, Collingwood, St Kilda, Melbourne and Essondon coukd beat each other on the day and injury list will have a major bearing on results.

      Gold Coast, Brisbane, Carlton, Richmond and Freemantle are penciled in as wins.

      You could get a team making the top 8 on 10 wins, you could get a 2-4 placing on 14 wins. It's that close.

      GWS will win 20 plus games. Too much fire power.

      Comment

      • liz
        Veteran
        Site Admin
        • Jan 2003
        • 16758

        #4
        This time last year I had very modest expectations. The list had lost a lot of experience, and I thought we'd do well to finish in the bottom reaches of the top 8. It was pretty relaxing to not expect too much.

        With the team having exceeded my expectations last year, it's difficult to get into quite the same frame of mind. Only Mitchell represents a departure of any significance (given Ted barely played last year) and I believe the coaches have a few options to cover him. If Reid can remain injury free, he could be an important "in" to the side, while I'm genuinely excited by what Jones could add to our midfield.

        As with last year, however, success for the Swans will be reliant on a low injury toll, especially to our best half dozen or so players. We were fortunate that Buddy, JPK, Hanners, Reg, Smith, Rampe, Parker barely missed a game between them. The younger players should continue to thrive but only if they again have that experienced quality around them.

        Comment

        • 56-14
          Warming the Bench
          • Dec 2015
          • 260

          #5
          Any inside news on how Isaac is going?

          Comment

          • Auntie.Gerald
            Veterans List
            • Oct 2009
            • 6474

            #6
            i do feel this could be the deepest competition for some time

            there is now a great spread of talent that was cornered from the Suns and GWS

            struggling teams like Melb, Saints, Carlton etc have been on the rise the last two seasons and will continue

            I personally think it is a contest between Bulldogs, GWS and Swans

            If i wasn't a supporter of the Swans and blinded by knowing too much about them i would lean towards GWS and some serious undeniable talent coming thru

            Taranto and Hopper have as much emerging talent as any 18/19s indvs running around and only add to their enormous depth at GWS !!!!
            "be tough, only when it gets tough"

            Comment

            • Mel_C
              Veterans List
              • Jan 2003
              • 4470

              #7
              From reading various articles it seems like the majority have selected us to be runners up again. I don't think I can handle another grand final loss ????.

              I hate seeing footage/photos of the bulldogs from the GF. I mute the tv and turn away!

              Sent from my HTC_PN071 using Tapatalk

              Comment

              • kangle4
                Warming the Bench
                • May 2003
                • 200

                #8
                Originally posted by 56-14
                Any inside news on how Isaac is going?
                On Fox Sports news the other day they reported he could be back for round 2 but I have no idea how reliable their info is.

                Comment

                • mcs
                  Travelling Swannie!!
                  • Jul 2007
                  • 8161

                  #9
                  Originally posted by Joel Ridge
                  I think GWS will top the table on 20 wins and it will be a close tussle for positions 2,3,4,5,6.

                  The Swans, Crows, West Coast, Bulldogs, Geelong, Hawthorn, Port, North, Collingwood, St Kilda, Melbourne and Essondon coukd beat each other on the day and injury list will have a major bearing on results.

                  Gold Coast, Brisbane, Carlton, Richmond and Freemantle are penciled in as wins.

                  You could get a team making the top 8 on 10 wins, you could get a 2-4 placing on 14 wins. It's that close.

                  GWS will win 20 plus games. Too much fire power.
                  It would seem exceptionally unlikely to get a team making the top 8 with only 10 wins, and history suggests it is very unlikely a team will make the top 4 only winning 14 games - when I had last looked (I may be mistaken), I thought that had happened maybe once or twice since the introduction of the top 8 finals format.

                  Out of that second group you have there, I don't rate Essendon, North or Port, and think Collingwood will struggle as well. In particular, North I feel will be lucky to beat home more than 3 or 4 teams in total this season. Melbourne and St Kilda will improve but will probably be a year away from really challenging the big boys.
                  "You get the feeling that like Monty Python's Black Knight, the Swans would regard amputation as merely a flesh wound."

                  Comment

                  • mcs
                    Travelling Swannie!!
                    • Jul 2007
                    • 8161

                    #10
                    Originally posted by Mel_C
                    From reading various articles it seems like the majority have selected us to be runners up again. I don't think I can handle another grand final loss ??.

                    I hate seeing footage/photos of the bulldogs from the GF. I mute the tv and turn away!

                    Sent from my HTC_PN071 using Tapatalk
                    I hurl abuse the TV's way every time I see the 'bulldogs wank' from last season.... damn fairypuppies

                    If we make the GF this year, we will win for sure - as I'll be away for the finals series (In UK week 1 and 3 of the finals, Copenhagen in Week 2 and St Petersburg in Week 4). So I know what's going to happen if we have a good year

                    - - - Updated - - -

                    Originally posted by Mel_C
                    From reading various articles it seems like the majority have selected us to be runners up again. I don't think I can handle another grand final loss ????.

                    I hate seeing footage/photos of the bulldogs from the GF. I mute the tv and turn away!

                    Sent from my HTC_PN071 using Tapatalk
                    I hurl abuse the TV's way every time I see the 'bulldogs wank' from last season.... damn fairypuppies

                    If we make the GF this year, we will win for sure - as I'll be away for the finals series (In UK week 1 and 3 of the finals, Copenhagen in Week 2 and St Petersburg in Week 4). So I know what's going to happen if we have a good year
                    "You get the feeling that like Monty Python's Black Knight, the Swans would regard amputation as merely a flesh wound."

                    Comment

                    • Blue Sun
                      Senior Player
                      • May 2010
                      • 1440

                      #11
                      Originally posted by Mel_C
                      From reading various articles it seems like the majority have selected us to be runners up again. I don't think I can handle another grand final loss ????.

                      I hate seeing footage/photos of the bulldogs from the GF. I mute the tv and turn away!

                      Sent from my HTC_PN071 using Tapatalk
                      Me too, Mel. Still bitter about it. I'm just hoping we don't lose another GF, the Swans have lost too many.

                      Comment

                      • Meg
                        Go Swannies!
                        Site Admin
                        • Aug 2011
                        • 4828

                        #12
                        Originally posted by mcs
                        If we make the GF this year, we will win for sure - as I'll be away for the finals series (In UK week 1 and 3 of the finals, Copenhagen in Week 2 and St Petersburg in Week 4). So I know what's going to happen if we have a good year
                        I'll be overseas during the finals season this year as well. So between the two of us we should get the Swans over the line! ????

                        Comment

                        • Joel Ridge
                          Suspended by the MRP
                          • Feb 2017
                          • 82

                          #13
                          Originally posted by mcs
                          It would seem exceptionally unlikely to get a team making the top 8 with only 10 wins, and history suggests it is very unlikely a team will make the top 4 only winning 14 games - when I had last looked (I may be mistaken), I thought that had happened maybe once or twice since the introduction of the top 8 finals format.

                          Out of that second group you have there, I don't rate Essendon, North or Port, and think Collingwood will struggle as well. In particular, North I feel will be lucky to beat home more than 3 or 4 teams in total this season. Melbourne and St Kilda will improve but will probably be a year away from really challenging the big boys.
                          I also believe that teams in my bottom group like Carlton, Gold Coast and Freemantle (Nat Fyfe impact) and Richmond will get to the 6-8 win mark. The Lions will struggle to win 4 games. This will tighten up the middle of the ladder.

                          North have been very competitive over a number of seasons and this will continue. Collingwood has been a 10 win team for a number of seasons and Essendon will be the great improvers as they have a lot to prove.

                          GWS to Usain Bolt the pack.

                          It's going to be a great and exciting season for the fans.

                          Comment

                          • Wardy
                            The old Boiler!
                            • Sep 2003
                            • 6676

                            #14
                            Originally posted by Meg
                            I'll be overseas during the finals season this year as well. So between the two of us we should get the Swans over the line! ????
                            I will be away for the grand final too - well not away as such - not going to Melbourne because I have to attend a wedding !!!!!!!!! Yes a member of my extended family is having her wedding on grand final day ?????????????????????????????????????????????????? ??????????????I asked her if she bollocking crazy - but I reckon we will win because I won't be at the "G" !!!
                            I used to be indecisive, but now I'm not so sure..................
                            Chickens drink - but they don't pee!
                            AGE IS ONLY IMPORTANT FOR TWO THINGS - WINE & CHEESE!

                            Comment

                            • Mug Punter
                              On the Rookie List
                              • Nov 2009
                              • 3325

                              #15
                              Originally posted by Joel Ridge
                              I also believe that teams in my bottom group like Carlton, Gold Coast and Freemantle (Nat Fyfe impact) and Richmond will get to the 6-8 win mark. The Lions will struggle to win 4 games. This will tighten up the middle of the ladder.

                              North have been very competitive over a number of seasons and this will continue. Collingwood has been a 10 win team for a number of seasons and Essendon will be the great improvers as they have a lot to prove.

                              GWS to Usain Bolt the pack.

                              It's going to be a great and exciting season for the fans.
                              I can see GWS going 20-2 in the regular season, I believe their list is just that good. And whilst they will inevitably lose players to free agency why on earth would a player want to leave that list? They will merely cherrypick who they can let go and call the shots about how that list evolves. Time will tell but I can see a huge dynasty a monster of the AFLs creation perhaps in the short term but one that could unlock the NSW market long term. We live in interesting times.

                              I think Carlton and the Lions will continue to be sub par. Freo, Essendon and Gold Coast will be the big risers and I can see one, if any, making the eight. Richmond will do better than many predict but finsh ninth (again).

                              Melbourne and St Kilda are two teams on the rise and they have both had pretty good pre-seasons. I expect at least one team making the eight.

                              Port and Collingwood I see as having very poor lists and being lower third.

                              I would be amazed if North are top half of the table but another team on the slide is hard to find looking at last year's 8. The Hawks could potentially drop like a stone with a few injuries and let's not forget the number of close wins the jagged in 2016. Adelaide could be the other, they really haven't done much to address their midfield and they are somewhat predictable for mine.

                              I'd like us to finish top 4 but again a lot will depend on the health of our Top 10 but anything less than 6th would be a disappointment for me

                              Comment

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